Cost Of Living In Ashland, OR (Taxes, Housing & More)
Ashland, Oregon is a picturesque, naturally beautiful city in the foothills of the Rogue River Valley of Oregon. Ashland is close to the California border and has been named one of the best places to live in America multiple times. With arts, culture, nature, and good schools, Ashland is a very desirable place to live and has a lot to offer single professionals, families, and even retirees.
The median home cost of living in Ashland, Oregon is $456,600. However, this number does not cover other living costs, such as child care, utilities, groceries, and taxes. We will help you determine all of the small expenses contributing to how much you spend on life in Ashland.
The minimum wage in Ashland $11.50 per hour and the livable wage is $15.39 an hour. You may have a range below or above this that will help you live in Ashland. Though the cost of living is lower than that of Los Angeles or New York, costs do add up. Here’s a breakdown of exactly how much you might spend to live each month in Ashland, Oregon.
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How Much Does a Home Cost to Own in Ashland, OR?
Owning a home in Ashland is comparatively slightly more than other places around the country. The median home price in Ashland is $456,600 and the median home cost nationwide is $284,600. This makes homes in Ashland about 55% more than the national average. There are luxury homes that are very expensive in Ashland; well above $2 million. However, there are affordable homes in Ashland that can fit your budget. If you don’t think you can afford to live in Ashland, consider renting.
How Much Does a Home Cost to Rent?
When you move to Ashland you will notice there are a variety of homes and apartments to rent. In fact, 1.4% of houses and apartments are available to rent. Here’s what you can expect to pay:
| Style of Home | Price Per Month |
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $830 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1100 |
| 3 Bedroom | $1590 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1930 |
Compared to many states this is relatively affordable and can be a great deal especially so close to a beautiful and dynamic city like Ashland. If you are a couple or a single person finding a studio apartment can be one of the best and easiest ways to afford living in Ashland, Oregon.
Property Taxes in Ashland, Oregon
The property tax rate in Oregon is 0.90% — or $2,241 per year — and the US average property tax rate is 1.07%, so Oregon is just a little under the national average. However, property tax rates do vary depending on the city or town you live in. Oregon does have a property tax exemption for low-income senior homeowners.
Property tax rates in Oregon are loosely tied to a property’s value. The home’s boundaries calculate actual property tax rates in relation to numerous taxing jurisdictions and the property’s assessed value.
Utilities in Ashland
In every state you will move to, you will have to pay utilities. Sometimes when you are renting, these fees get pushed together, but you will have to ensure this happens in your contract. For a small apartment of 915 sq ft, you can expect to pay $174.64 a month for the basic utilities in Ashland. What do utilities include?
- Electricity
- Cooling
- Heating
- Water
- Garbage
There may be certain places that do not include garbage, and you will have to find your own way to dispose of your trash. Some places will cover this cost, but you must provide your own garbage cans that still need to meet community requirements.
The Cost of Child Care
If you have a family, you know that child care is expensive but a necessity. It is a part of daily life that many people don’t talk about and can be a considerable expense and a giant chunk of your paycheck.
In Ashland, the average cost of full-time daycare per week is:
| Age | Cost Per Week |
| Under 2.5 | $285 |
| 2.5 to 5 | $250 |
| 6+ | $187.50 |
You can expect to pay between $750 a month to $1,140 a month per child. However, if you are looking at a private daycare that may also teach your children or prep them for school, you will end up paying much more. Some places may charge up to $1,254 per month. It all depends on what you want and what you are looking for.
Food in Ashland, Oregon
Something we tend to overlook when moving or living somewhere is the prices of food. Grocery shopping is something most of us do weekly and, if we are lucky, sometimes monthly. The bigger your family is, the more you will spend on groceries per week.
Here is a list of some grocery items and prices in Ashland; this can be a good starting place to figure out what you eat and how much you’ll spend a week or a month.
| Food Item | Cost |
| 1 Gallon of Milk | $2.97 |
| 1 Loaf of White Bread | $2.13 |
| 1 Carton of Eggs | $2.20 |
| Local Cheese | $6.17 |
| 1 Pound of Chicken | $4.83 |
| 1 Pound of Onion | $0.85 |
| 1 Head of Lettuce | $1.58 |
| 1 Bottle of Mid-Range Wine | $11.50 |
| 0.5 Liters of Domestic Beer | $2.38 |
How Much Will Entertainment Cost?
Ashland has a lot of activities to offer, so after you move there you will want to start going to see and do them. Almost all activities cost money. What is there to do, and how much does it cost? The truth is there are many different things to do, a wide variety of things to do. You will need to set yourself a budget and stick with it. Here is a list of activities that can help you determine that budget.
| Activity | Price Range |
| Restaurants (2 people/mid-range) | $50.00 |
| Fitness Club (one adult, monthly fee) | $39.17 |
| Movies (1 adult ticket) | $9.62 |
Depending on where and when you go, activities fees will vary. There can always be extra expenses with activities, depending on the time of day, day of the week, number of people attending, etc.
Education in Ashland
Educating kids is expensive, even more so if you’re interested in sending them to private school. There are so many costs that add up every year we want to make sure you are as prepared as possible.
On average many of the teachers have 20 kids per class and spend about $11,361 per student. However, that does not mean you have to pay that amount; it means that’s what it costs the school. Here are some other things to keep in mind when looking at education costs in Ashland.
Private School
There are thirteen private schools in Ashland, Oregon. The average private school tuition in Oregon is $8,322 for elementary school and $12,161 per high school per year. Prices of private schools in Ashland may be slightly higher or lower.
University and Technical Colleges
Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland and it’s an excellent option for many locals. Daymar College, Columbia Southern University, and Waldorf University are technical colleges in the area of Ashland. If you are thinking of attending a university or a technical college, this may be a budget-friendly option compared to other states.
If you become an Oregon resident who attends the Southern Oregon University, you will spend around $10,479 for tuition alone. However, this does not cover costs or room and board, or any textbook fees. If you need room, food, textbooks, and more, you can expect to pay more per year. If you are moving to Ashland, Oregon and plan to go back to school, it may benefit you to wait a year and become a resident. This might help you pay a lower amount than being out of state.
Related Questions
How much do you need to live comfortably in Oregon?
You will need a salary of approximately $50,000 to live comfortably in Ashland. This means you would need to make $4,166 a month to live on your own in Ashland. Costs of living depend on location and the size of your family; the bigger your family is, the more you will need to make.
Is Ashland a good place to live?
Ashland has been described as an easy city to live in. Traffic is minimal, the sun shines more than 200 days a year and people are friendly and welcoming. Ashland has four distinct seasons and a temperate climate. You can walk or bike almost anywhere in Ashland, making it easy to get around.Ashland has an abundance of outdoor amenities like hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing and city parks, and green spaces. If you like the outdoors, Ashland is a great place to live. Ashland has also been named one of the top 10 Best Small Art Towns in America.
What are the main industries in Ashland?
The largest industries in Ashland are finance and insurance, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.
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Is Ashland, OR Right for You?
If you’re looking for a city that’s livable, full of outdoor activities, great restaurants, art galleries, museums, good schools, and lots of bright, sunny days, Ashland might be the city for you.
There are many growing industries that you can join and a lot of things to see and do. If you are a single person, this may be one of the most enjoyable cities to experience, but it can also be a great place to raise a family or even retire.
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